Stablemates River Boyne, Buckstopper Kit face off

ARCADIA, Calif. – River Boyne and Buckstopper Kit were purchased at auction in England last fall for approximately $214,000 by the Southern California stable of Jed and Roberta Cohen and their family.

The investment is paying off. River Boyne won his second start in the United States in a maiden race Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. Buckstopper Kit will have his American debut in a one-mile allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option Thursday at Santa Anita. His biggest rival is arguably River Boyne.

They were bought with turf campaigns in mind, trainer Jeff Mullins said.

Thursday’s race will have a full field of 10. The temporary rails on the turf course will be 20 feet from the permanent position.

KEY CONTENDERS

River Boyne, by Dandy Man
Beyers: 73-75

◗ River Boyne, bought for about $97,000, was second in his American debut in a maiden race on turf Nov. 24 at Del Mar and was a five-length winner at 1 1/8 miles here Dec. 26.

“He was only here a week when he ran the first time,” Mullins said. “He’s just a runner, very professional.”

◗ Flavien Prat rode River Boyne in those races and has the mount Thursday.

◗ River Boyne was winless in three starts in England and Ireland last year, with his best result a second in an allowance race on the all-weather surface at Newcastle, England, last October.

Buckstopper Kit, by Kitten’s Joy
No Beyers

◗ A Kentucky-bred bought last fall for about $117,000, Buckstopper Kit beat maidens at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf at Beverley Racecourse in England last September. He was later fifth of nine in a minor handicap at York in October.

◗ It is worth noting that Beverley has a stout uphill finish, suggesting a mile should suit Buckstopper Kit.

Kylemore, by Tiz Wonderful
Last 3 Beyers: 69-76-71

◗ Kylemore was beaten a nose in an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option on the all-weather surface at Golden Gate Fields on Jan. 1 and then was fourth in the California Derby there Jan. 20.

“I might have run him back too soon,” trainer Eoin Harty said.

◗ Kylemore won a maiden race at a mile on turf at Del Mar in September.

Move Over, by Acclamation
Beyer: 67

◗ Move Over won twice in Britain last year in minor races and was later fourth in the Group 2 Gran Criterium in Italy on Oct. 22 in his final start in Europe. In his American debut Jan. 15, Move Over closed from seventh in an allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option on the hillside turf course to be an eye-catching second.

◗ Thursday’s race will be Move Over’s longest race since a second in an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Epsom Racecourse in England last October.

Magic Musketier, by Musketier
Last 3 Beyers: 76-77-61

◗ Magic Musketier was fifth in the Eddie Logan Stakes after disputing the pace from the rail for the first half-mile. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Magic Musketier has drawn the rail in this race and will be ridden for the first time by jockey Kent Desormeaux.